THE REGIONSalem's chicken ban faces debate: A ban against chickens in residential zones has ruffled some feathers with a determined group of Salem city dwellers. A group wants the city council to do away with the ban and allow as many as five backyard hens -- no roosters -- in the city as pets, for their eggs and as a natural extension of their gardens.. The Statesman Journal's report

Time to 'go solar' in Kitsap County: A growing number of solar converts are taking advantage of expanded tax credits offered by federal economic stimulus legislation as well as state incentives. The Kitsap Sun's report

Agent goes undercover to nab a gang of poachers: An investigation that started in 2006 finally ended in November, when the last of four defendants pleaded guilty to poaching-related charges in Southwest Washington's Lewis County. The case involved men poaching all kinds of animals for fun rather than profit. The Seattle Times' report

Lead levels plummet in young children: In a stunning improvement in children's health, far fewer kids have high lead levels than 20 years ago, government research shows -- a testament to aggressive efforts to get lead out of paint, water and soil. The Associated Press' report

THE NATION & WORLDMontana town to be proposed as Superfund site: Federal officials say they will recommend the town of Superior and a nearby watershed be designated as a national Superfund site to speed cleanup of contamination from an abandoned mine. The Associated Press' report

EPA: Air tests near schools a priority: In an unprecedented step aimed at protecting children from toxic chemicals, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce plans Monday to determine whether industrial pollution taints the air outside schools across the nation. The USA Today's report

Schwarzenegger proclaims statewide drought emergency: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a statewide drought emergency Friday, urging Californians to cut water use by 20% and easing the way for water sales from Northern California to Southern California cities and San Joaquin Valley farms. The Los Angeles Times' report